Robin Hamilton

A Prospective Randomized Trial of Intravitreal Bevacizumab or Laser Therapy in the Management of Diabetic Macular Edema (BOLT Study): 12-Month Data: Report 2

PURPOSE To report the findings at 1 year of a study comparing repeated intravitreal bevacizumab (ivB) and modified Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) macular laser therapy (MLT) in patients with persistent clinically significant diabetic macular edema (CSME). DESIGN Prospective, randomized, masked, single-center, 2-year, 2-arm clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS A total of 80 eyes of 80 patients with center-involving CSME and at least 1 prior MLT. METHODS Subjects were randomized to either ivB (6 weekly; minimum of 3 injections and maximum of 9 injections in the first 12 months) or MLT (4 monthly; minimum of 1 treatment and maximum of 4 treatments in the first 12 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary end point was the difference in ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months between the bevacizumab and laser arms. RESULTS The baseline mean ETDRS BCVA was 55.7+/-9.7 (range 34-69) in the bevacizumab group and 54.6+/-8.6 (range 36-68) in the laser arm. The mean ETDRS BCVA at 12 months was 61.3+/-10.4 (range 34-79) in the bevacizumab group and 50.0+/-16.6 (range 8-76) in the laser arm (P = 0.0006). Furthermore, the bevacizumab group gained a median of 8 ETDRS letters, whereas the laser group lost a median of 0.5 ETDRS letters (P = 0.0002). The odds of gaining > or =10 ETDRS letters over 12 months were 5.1 times greater in the bevacizumab group than in the laser group (adjusted odds ratio, 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-19.7; P = 0.019). At 12 months, central macular thickness decreased from 507+/-145 microm (range 281-900 microm) at baseline to 378+/-134 microm (range 167-699 microm) (P<0.001) in the ivB group, whereas it decreased to a lesser extent in the laser group, from 481+/-121 microm (range 279-844 microm) to 413+/-135 microm (range 170-708 microm) (P = 0.02). The median number of injections was 9 (interquartile range [IQR] 8-9) in the ivB group, and the median number of laser treatments was 3 (IQR 2-4) in the MLT group. CONCLUSIONS The study provides evidence to support the use of bevacizumab in patients with center-involving CSME without advanced macular ischemia.

Role of intraocular pressure measurement on the day of phacoemulsification cataract surgery

Purpose: To determine whether measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) preoperatively or in the early postoperative period is an accurate predictor of raised IOP 24 hours after cataract surgery. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom. Methods: This prospective study comprised 101 eyes of 101 patients having phacoemulsification cataract surgery. The IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry preoperatively and 2 to 3 hours, 6 to 8 hours, and 22 to 24 hours postoperatively. The relationship between the same‐day and next‐day IOP readings was examined. Results: One hundred patients completed the study. The IOP at 22 to 24 hours was significantly correlated with the IOP preoperatively (correlation coefficient [r] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38‐0.67) and at 6 to 8 hours (r = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41‐0.68). In contrast, the IOP measurement at 2 to 3 hours correlated relatively poorly with the next‐day IOP (r = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14‐0.49). Twelve patients had an IOP of 26 mm Hg or higher at 22 to 24 hours. The risk of this outcome increased significantly with higher IOP values preoperatively and, to a lesser extent, with a raised IOP at 6 to 8 hours. Glaucoma and ocular hypertension were associated with a 2.9‐fold increased risk (95% CI, 0.67‐12.8) of a next‐day IOP of 26 mm Hg or higher. Conclusions: Preoperative IOP or a diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension were significant risk factors for raised next‐day IOP after small‐incision phacoemulsification. It may be possible to select patients at greater risk of prolonged ocular hypertension before surgery for prophylactic IOP‐lowering treatment. This would minimize patient morbidity and reduce the number of patients requiring next‐day review, resulting in significant health economic savings.

Retina rejuvenation therapy for diabetic macular edema: a pilot study.

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel frequency-doubled nanosecond-pulsed laser with discontinuous beam energy distribution (2RT, Ellex) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Methods: Twenty-three consecutive patients (38 eyes) with newly diagnosed diabetic macular edema were recruited and assessed with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT/scanning laser ophthalmoscope, OPKO/OTI), microperimetry, fundus photography, and fundus fluorescein angiography. Macular grid treatments were performed with 2RT laser system by 1 operator. Patients were examined with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, microperimetry, and fundus photography at 3 weeks and 6 weeks and 3 months and 6 months. Fundus fluorescein angiography was repeated at 3 months and 6 months. Results: Six months postoperatively, 17 patients (28 eyes) completed the study. No complications were identified after 2RT therapy. Intraoperative retinal discoloration was observed in 2 cases, fully resolved at 3 months with no permanent anatomical or functional changes. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity improved from 20/44 at baseline to 20/27 at 6 months. The change in best-corrected visual acuity was significant (P = 0.0190). Central macular thickness in the central 1-mm subfield, retinal exudates and vascular leakage decreased in the majority of patients at 6 months (46, 41, and 55%, respectively), although the change from baseline was not statistically significant. Microperimetry confirmed photoreceptor integrity and showed a trend of improvement that correlated with decreased central macular thickness. Conclusion: For the first time, we achieved a beneficial effect on diabetic macular edema without the side effects of conventional laser therapy. The efficacy of this system in comparison with standard argon laser photocoagulation and in the treatment of other conditions affecting the retinal pigment epithelium needs further investigation.

Valacyclovir in the treatment of acute retinal necrosis

BackgroundTo report the outcome of oral valacyclovir as the sole antiviral therapy for patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN).MethodsThis study reports a retrospective, interventional case series of nine consecutive patients with ten eyes with newly diagnosed ARN treated with oral valacyclovir as the sole antiviral agent. Eight patients received oral valacyclovir 2 g tid (Valtrex, GlaxoSmithKline) and one patient with impaired renal function received oral 1 g tid. The main outcome measures were response to treatment, time to initial response to treatment, time to complete resolution of retinitis, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at final follow-up, retinal detachment and development of recurrent or second eye disease.ResultsRetinitis resolved in ten of ten (100%) affected eyes. The median time to initial detectable response was seven days and the median time to complete resolution was 21 days. A final BCVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in 6/10 (60%) of eyes. 3/10 eyes (30%) developed a retinal detachment. No patients developed either disease reactivation or second eye involvement over the course of the study (mean follow up 31 weeks, range 7 to 104 weeks).ConclusionsTreatment with oral valacyclovir as the sole antiviral therapy resulted in complete resolution of retinitis. Final BCVA and retinal detachment rate were comparable with previously reported outcomes for intravenous acyclovir.

Implementation of medical retina virtual clinics in a tertiary eye care referral centre

Background The increasing incidence of medical retinal diseases has created capacity issues across UK. In this study, we describe the implementation and outcomes of virtual medical retina clinics (VMRCs) at Moorfields Eye Hospital, South Division, London. It represents a promising solution to ensure that patients are seen and treated in a timely fashion Methods First attendances in the VMRC (September 2016–May 2017) were included. It was open to non-urgent external referrals and to existing patients in a face-to-face clinic (F2FC). All patients received visual acuity testing, dilated fundus photography and optical coherence tomography scans. Grading was performed by consultants, fellows and allied healthcare professionals. Outcomes of these virtual consultations and reasons for F2FC referrals were assessed. Results A total number of 1729 patients were included (1543 were internal and 186 external referrals). The majority were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy (75.1% of internal and 46.8% of external referrals). Of the internal referrals, 14.6% were discharged, 54.5% continued in VMRC and 30.9% were brought to a F2FC. Of the external referrals, 45.5% were discharged, 37.1% continued in VMRC and 17.4% were brought to a F2FC. The main reason for F2FC referrals was image quality (34.7%), followed by detection of potentially treatable disease (20.2%). Conclusion VMRC can be implemented successfully using existing resources within a hospital eye service. It may also serve as a first-line rapid-access clinic for low-risk referrals. This would enable medical retinal services to cope with increasing demand and efficiently allocate resources to those who require treatment.

Exploring Sex and Laterality Imbalances in Patients Undergoing Laser Retinopexy

IMPORTANCE Studies have consistently reported a small preponderance of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in males and in right eyes, which might suggest interesting differences in ocular anatomy relating to sex and laterality. However, an important potential confounding factor is that epidemiologic studies do not consider retinal tears that do not lead to detachment. This study used the electronic patient records from a large eye hospital to explore whether any sex and laterality imbalances were present in patients who underwent laser retinopexy. OBSERVATIONS Analysis was conducted from December 1, 2014, to March 1, 2015. Of 6760 patients who underwent retinopexy between May 21, 1996, and October 27, 2014, sex had been recorded for 5854 patients (3346 males and 2508 females) and laterality recorded for 3780 eyes (1990 treatments in the right eye and 1790 in the left eye). The proportion of males was 57.2% (95% CI, 55.9%-58.4%) and the proportion of right eyes was 52.6% (95% CI, 51.1%-54.2%). For sex and laterality, the 95% CIs did not overlap the 50% mark, indicating that the imbalance was likely not owing to chance. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Our study showed that laser retinopexy was performed more often in males and in right eyes. This imbalance is in the same direction as that seen for retinal detachments, suggesting that males and right eyes may have an anatomical predisposition toward retinal tears and detachment, possibly related to a slightly greater average axial length.

Complete Resolution of a Giant Pigment Epithelial Detachment Secondary to Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration after a Single Intravitreal Ranibizumab (Lucentis) Injection: Results Documented by Optical Coherence Tomography

Aim:To describe a patient with a giant pigment epithelial detachment (PED) secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) successfully treated with a single intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) injection (0.5 mg/0.05 ml).Methods:An 89-year-old woman presented with a six-day history of reduced vision and distortion in the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity in that eye was 6/15. Fundoscopy revealed a giant PED and exudates temporally to the fovea. Optical coherence tomography showed a PED associated with subretinal and intraretinal fluid. Fluorescein angiography confirmed the diagnosis of an occult choroidal neovascularization. Treatment with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (Lucentis) was recommended, although the increased risk of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) rip was mentioned. Results:Four weeks after the first intravitreal Lucentis injection, the visual acuity in the left eye improved to 6/7.5, with a significant improvement of the distortion and a complete anatomical resolution of the PED confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Conclusion:Giant PED secondary to exudative ARMD can be successfully treated with intravitreal ranibizumab, despite the increased risk of RPE rip. To our knowledge, this is the first case presenting with complete resolution of PED after a single ranibizumab injection.

Multifocal Choroiditis and Panuveitis

Multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis (MCP) was first described in 1973 as a distinctive ophthalmoscopic appearance that resembles ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS). The first series of patients was reported in 1984 with lesions primarily at the level of RPE and inner choroid associated with vitreous cells, and it was named multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis. The cause of this entity is unknown. Multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis is an uncommon, chronic, recurrent disease, which affects females more than males by a ratio of 3:1 or greater. It has been reported in children from the age of 6 to adults aged 69, but is more common in the third and fourth decades. It is more common in myopes and, in approximately 80 % of cases, is bilateral, although commonly presents asymmetrically, and the second eyes are often asymptomatic. Recurrent bouts of inflammation occur unilaterally or bilaterally, separately or simultaneously, and often occur around the sites of previous inflammation.